Enoch's Ghost by Bryan Davis

Author:Bryan Davis [Davis, Bryan]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fantasy
Publisher: AMG
Published: 2010-06-10T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Heart of a Harlot

Elam crested a bare hill and turned in a slow circle. Nothing but gorgeous greenery and dazzling flowers as far as the eye could see. He glanced at Dikaios, who was munching a mouthful of grass.

“There doesn’t seem to be anywhere to go,” Elam said. “Should I just stay here and wait for something to happen?”

Dikaios swallowed. “Why do you ask me? I am no authority on what humans who seek Heaven’s altar should do.”

“But you have seen others. Maybe a white-haired girl and a smaller girl who was probably being carried?”

The horse shuddered his mane. “Carried by Joseph the grail-keeper?”

“You did see them! How did they get to the altar?”

Dikaios lowered his head and gathered another mouthful of grass. He took his time chewing, glancing up at Elam every few seconds. He grabbed another bite, and chewed, still peering up.

Elam scanned every horizon with his enhanced vision before turning back to Dikaios. He watched the horse’s eyes dart between him and the ground. Would this strange animal ever answer his question?

Finally, Dikaios raised his head again. “You are indeed unusual. That is certain.”

Elam averted his eyes. “I’m sorry. I hope my staring didn’t offend you.”

“There is no need to apologize. I was not speaking about your ocular focus.”

Elam sighed and spread out his hands. “The two girls are very precious to me, so I’m hoping to find them and bring them back to the world of the living. Merlin the prophet gave me this task, so I have to succeed.”

“Is that so?” the horse asked with a casual air. “Why?”

“Which are you asking about—why they are precious, or why I have to succeed?”

“Either one. It matters little.” Dikaios reached for another mouthful of grass.

Elam raised two fingers. “I will answer the second, because the first needs no answer. Merlin gave me this mission, and his word is good enough for me, even if I don’t understand the purpose. If it’s important to him, it’s important, period.”

Dikaios nodded. When his mouth cleared of grass, he replied. “Then I suppose you will learn the purpose when you finish your journey.”

“I’m not sure of that, either. I just need to listen and obey.”

Dikaios drew close and sniffed Elam’s face. “Most unusual,” he said, drawing back again. “Most, most unusual.”

Elam again stared at the horse. Obviously he wasn’t going to get a straight answer. He strolled down the slope, heading toward another stand of trees in the distance. As the sound of soft hoof steps followed, he smiled. “Still coming with me?” he called back.

“You intrigue me. I must learn more.”

Elam slowed to let the plodding horse catch up. “I get the impression that you have already learned a lot about humans, otherwise you wouldn’t find me so unusual. There would be no one to compare me to.”

“A wise deduction.” Dikaios now walked at his side. “I have seen many humans tread the fine grasses of the Bridgelands. Some still wander here searching for the altar and its scarlet key, even after centuries of futility.

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